Guns N' Roses - Patience - Meaning of the song
Following the manic aural onslaught of their debut album Appetite for Destruction, Guns N' Roses gave us "Patience," a tender song where Axl Rose sings about waiting it out in a relationship. It was the only single issued from the second album, G N' R Lies.
"Patience"was a trendsetter in its use of all-acoustic instrumentation, making it safe for hard rockers to display their sensitive, vulnerable sides in a more understated way rather than utilizing the power ballad format so popular among hair bands in the late '80s.
In the video, the band members are situated in a hotel where they are the only constant images, as all other people are present for a moment, then fade away. The video, directed by Nigel Dick, was one of many produced by the band. The video was filmed on Valentine's Day during 1989, some scenes being shot at the Record Plant. It was the last video in which Steven Adler appeared (even though he did not play on the recorded track) and the last before the Use Your Illusion videos. Mike Clink is also featured in the video, sitting at the mixing board. The video was shot in The Ambassador Hotel, made famous due to Bobby Kennedy's assassination in 1968. The hotel was inoperative and scheduled for demolition, but was not demolished until 2006.
Patience - Lyrics
One, two, one, two, three, four Shed a tear 'cause I'm missin' you, I'm still alright to smile Girl, I think about you every day now Was a time when I wasn't sure, but you set my mind at ease There is no doubt you're in my heart now Said, woman, take it slow and it'll work itself out fine All we need is just a little patience Said, sugar, make it slow and we'll come together fine All we need is just a little patience Patience, mm yeah I sit here on the stairs 'cause I'd rather be alone If I can't have you right now, I'll wait, dear Sometimes I get so tense, but I can't speed up the time But you know, love, there's one more thing to consider Said, woman, take it slow and things will be just fine You and I'll just use a little patience Said, sugar, take the time 'cause the lights are shinin' bright You and I've got what it takes to make it We won't fake it, aw, I'll never break it, 'cause I can't take it (Little patience, hm yeah, hm yeah) (Need a little patience, yeah) (Just a little patience, yeah) (Some more patience) I've been walkin' the streets at night (Yeah) Just tryin' to get it right (A little patience) It's hard to see with so many around (Yeah) You know I don't like bein' stuck in the crowd (Could use some patience) An' the streets don't change, but maybe the names (Yeah) I ain't got time for the game 'cause I need you (Gotta have more patience) Yeah-yeah, but I need you (Yeah) Ooh, I need you (All it takes is patience) Oh, I need you (Just a little patience) Ooh, this time (Is all you need)